Title: The Sides of Fear (7/?)
Author: Azeroth
Author E-mail: mrlindberg3h@yahoo.com
Category: Mystery, Drama, Action/Adventure, Romance
Keywords: Harry, Ginny, Voldemort, Chalice
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: For all four books
Summary: Harry begins his fifth year at Hogwarts with a female Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, feelings of guilt for Cedric Diggory's death, and looking for someone to share his emotions with. Voldemort has steadily begun to build his reign of terror as a sense of urgency and vigilance goes through Hogwarts and the rest of the wizarding world.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

The Sides of Fear

Chapter 7
Quidditch Battles

The early Quidditch Cup would be held this year, and McGonagall had taken the liberty to remind Harry they needed to find a new Keeper as well as determine who the new captain would be. She had suggested the six players who were still here should meet and vote for their new captain. A week into the school year and Harry was already finding himself buried in work, Quidditch, and quarreling friends. There was no need to worry about most of his school work because the lack of time spent with his friends made him spend more time with his books. As he flung his bag on his shoulder he swiftly grabbed his Firebolt and bolted out the portrait. With all that was on his mind he felt strangely liberated when he saw the stands of the Quidditch field come into sight. The rest of the Gryffindor team was already there and they had turned their attention to the oncoming Harry.

"Harry, hurry up!" yelled Fred giving Angelina a friendly push.

"Yeah, we want to get this voting business done as quickly as possible," bellowed George, "besides, we've got better ideas of what to do with the ladies."

Harry chuckled as George's comment was followed by three hard punches.

"Well, I'm sorry to take you away from your...business," said Harry smiling, "but McGonagall ordered me to do this as soon as possible."

"Let's get on with it then shall we?" said Katie.

"Er, how do we do this?" asked Harry.

"It's quite simple really Harry old chap," said Fred smiling. "All we do is nominate someone and then we vote."

"We figured we'd make it easier for us by discussing this before we came down here," added George, "so we nominated and voted earlier today."

"Congratulations Harry," said Alicia patting his back.

"But...what...I..." sputtered Harry unable to find words.

"Well, don't let it get to your head, or else we'll have to give you the same badge as Percy got," said George reminding Harry of the "Bighead Boy" badge.

Harry was about to ask why they had selected him because he thought either of the twins would be better at this when Angelina spoke up.

"We figured it would be best this way. We're all leaving after this year, and we thought it would be best if you would get some experience before you have to find new players to keep in line."

"Yeah, I mean, you won't find any Beaters as good as us," smiled Fred.

"But we thought this might give you a chance to get used to the idea," added George.

"I don't know what to say," said Harry still shocked.

"Then don't say anything at all," said George, "besides, we've got some 'business' to take care of."

With that the rest of the team left Harry alone on the Quidditch field who was still unable to grasp the fact that he was now the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He quickly turned around and yelled,

"Practice at 5:30 tomorrow!"

The twins stopped in their tracks, turned around looking at Harry in disbelief.

"Sharp!"

He could see the twins throw their hands up in the air, and turn around dejected heading for the Common Room.

"I guess it's not that difficult to be captain," thought Harry as he made his way across Hogwarts.

When he came into the Common Room he was greeted by cheering as everyone had found out about his captaincy. He made his way through the room only to find Ron sitting with Fleur on the floor.

"Congratulations!" said Ron jumping up to give Harry a slap on the back.

"Thanks Ron. We're going to have try-outs next week for the Keeper spot. Are you going to try out?"

"Absolutely, I haven't been praciticing all summer to sit and watch you play."

"Oui, congratulationz 'arry," said Fleur smiling.

"Thanks," said Harry. "Where's Hermione?"

"Oh she's off with Vicky doing something," snorted Ron. "Not that I care."

Ron sat down next to Fleur again as the rest of the Gryffindors mauled Harry once again with cheers of "We're gonna win the Cup" echoing loudly throughout the Common Room.

A few minutes later the portrait swung open and in stepped McGonagall.

"What is going on here?" she asked sternly.

"We're celebrating our future reign as Quidditch Cup champions," chimed Fred and George.

"Well, please do so quietly. I do not want to take points away from my own house unless I am forced to."

With that she stepped out of the portrait hole again, and with that the room quieted down. Harry was relieved to see another familiar face sitting in the corner apparently busy reading her book.

"Hi Gin, reading anything interesting?" asked Harry.

"Um, not really," said Ginny peering out from behind her book.

There was an awkward silence for a minute before Harry broke it.

"So, um, there'll be try-outs next week for the Keeper spot," started Harry, "and I thought you might like to give it a try."

Ginny looked up surprised.

"I don't think I will. I'm not very good at Quidditch."

"I watched you at the Burrow and you looked great too me," said Harry feeling his cheeks burn slightly.

"You watched me?" Ginny said with wide eyes.

"Well, I mean, I saw how you looked," Harry was beginning to feel very uncomfortable, "and well, I mean...what I'm trying to say is I think you would stand a chance," finished Harry wishing he had his Invisibility Cloak.

"If you think so," said Ginny blushing, "then maybe I'll give it a try."

"Well, then, I'll see you there," added Harry before turning around to go up to his room.

He ran up the stairs and flung himself onto his bed.

"What is wrong with me?" he muttered. "It's just Gin, Ron's little sister."

"Harry?" Ron peeked into the room. "Are you alright?"

"Um, yeah, nothing to worry about. I'm just thinking about practice tomorrow," said Harry hastily not wanting to tell Ron what was really bothering him.

"I heard the twins talking about you becoming another Oliver Wood," chuckled Ron, "practice at 5:30 and all."

"They think they might've made a mistake," added Ron grinning.

"Hey! I'm not as insane as Wood was," said Harry sitting up.

"Well, from the looks of it you're starting to sound more and more like h...oomph"

Harry had thrown a pillow with deadly accuracy, and the ensuing fight led to feathers flying wildly around in the room.

***

The next week it was time for the Quidditch team try-outs. Seeing as there was only one position open there were not that many hopefuls that showed up. Harry found himself feeling a bit disappointed as he looked over the people who had showed up. Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Ron were the only ones there. "Why isn't she here?" thought Harry. "I wish she was..." Harry slapped himself mentally reminding himself that she was, after all, Ron's little sister. "You just keep repeating that to yourself," said another voice in his head. Before he had any more conversations with himself he decided to get everything started.

"Each of you will show us how well you fly, then you'll be trying to stop our Chasers from scoring," said Harry looking at the three of them.

"Seamus, you're up first," said Harry looking at Seamus.

It didn't take long for Harry to see that Seamus was excellent in the air on his Nimbus Two Thousand, and he was able to deflect most of the early shots thanks to his speed. When Harry gave the sign for Alicia and company to turn up the tempo Seamus had some problems keeping up with the rapid movements of the Chasers. Harry finally blew a whistle and let Dean Thomas give it a go. Dean wasn't as good in the air and he immediately had problems with some of the easier throws. When it finally came to Ron he knew what was going to happen. He had already seen Ron fly during the summer and he knew that Ron's logical mind was perfectly suited for the Keeper position. He had no problems stopping the first attempts, and after it was over he had only let 2 Quaffles slip past him.

"Thanks to all three of you. We'll inform you tomorrow of the new team," said Harry as the three of them left.

Just as they were about to make their decision a small figure could be seen running down towards the Quidditch field. Her red hair was flying, seemingly with a mind of its own, and she looked like she had just woken up.

"I'm so sorry," panted Ginny, "I fell asleep reading and..." she looked around. "Am I too late?"

"No, we were just about to leave," smiled Harry, "but I'm sure the girls *ahem* women won't mind," said Harry looking at Angelina, Alicia, and Katie. They all shook their heads and got back on their broomsticks.

"Here's what I want you to do," said Harry. "Show us how well you can fly, and then we'll let you try to stop as many Quaffles as possible."

Ginny took a deep breath, nodded, and kicked off from the ground. She flew through the air a bit uncertain, but as she got more comfortable her flying improved. Harry found himself staring at her graceful body cutting through the air.

"Right, let's see what you can do as Keeper," he said in an effort to stop thinking about Ginny.

The three Chasers started taking turns trying to shoot past Ginny, but she seemed to glide easily through the air and blocked every shot. Harry gave Angelina the sign to speed up and all three of them were now flying like it was a real match. Harry watched as Ginny continued zooming through the air stopping all but one Quaffle. Harry finally blew his whistle.

"Right, we'll let you know tomorrow," said Harry motioning them to leave while the team discussed who their newest member would be.

"I think it's pretty obvious," said Fred.

"I'm glad we agree," said Angelina.

"It's definately Ron," said the twins.

"You mean Ginny," retorted Alicia.

"No, we said Ron."

"Ginny."

"R-o-n. Ron."

"Harry? What do you think?" said Katie as everybody waited for his response.

"Oh, just bloody brilliant," thought Harry as he gave Katie his answer.

***

Ron went back to the Common Room and saw Fleur sitting by the fire alone. The first impression she had had on the rest of the Gryffindor boys had slowly worn off, and accompinied by the fact that Ron had become her "boyfriend" made the rest of the boys step away from her. They had all seen what the Weasley temper could do, and they had decided not to tempt fate. Just as Ron sat down next to Fleur he heard the portrait open, but where he expected Harry and the rest of the team to walk in was Viktor Krum and Hermione Granger. It seemed like they had just got back from one of their evening walks. "I wonder what she sees in that overgrown, wobbling, bird brain," thought Ron as he moved closer to Fleur earning him a smile from her. He couldn't help but overhear the conversation from across the room.

"I am so glad I came to Hogvarts."

"You have no idea how happy I am Viktor," said Hermione grabbing hold of his hand.

"I thought that you...vell...didn't vant to see me anymore," Viktor said hesitantly.

"Whatever made you think that?" laughed Hermione.

"Vell, you said..."

"A person can change their mind, now can't they?" Hermione said loud enough for Ron to hear clearly.

Ron couldn't believe it. For once he had built up enough courage to tell Hermione how he really felt, and now she was prancing around with Viktor Krum. "When am I going to be known as Ron?" he thought. He couldn't do anything his brothers hadn't done already. He was best friends with Harry Potter. "My only hope is to make it on the Quidditch team. At least I'll be able to be my own person."

Hermione looked over at Ron who was now talking to Fleur holding her tightly. "He's such an oaf," she thought as she tried to keep herself from crying. The feelings from last year had surfaced as soon as she had seen Fleur walk through the doors of the Great Hall. Evidently Ron had been reminded of his feelings as well. She excused herself to Viktor and walked up to her room.

"Ronald Weasley, you're still a stupid prat," she muttered taking out her Transfiguration book.

***

When Ginny walked in she wanted to get up to her room, but Ron was too quick for her.

"Where have you been?" he asked sounding like their mother.

"It's none of your business," snapped Ginny tired of being treated like a child.

"You're my little sister, and I decide what's my business," Ron said sharply moving between Ginny and the stairs.

"Get. out. of. my. way," hissed Ginny feeling the roots of her hair turn red.

"No! Not until you tell me where you were," said Ron looking cross.

"Fine!" yelled Ginny. "If you have to know I was trying out for the Quidditch team."

Ron was so startled that Ginny was able to wrestle past him and head upstairs to her room. He broke out of his reverie when Harry and the rest of the team walked in glaring at each other. The girls walked up the stairs without giving Fred and George as much as a look.

"What's wrong with those three?" asked Ron curiously.

"We just had some trouble down at he Quidditch field," said Harry.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with Ginny, would it?" Ron said frowning.

"Well..." began Harry.

"The girls wanted Ginny to be the new Keeper," said George, "and we wanted you to be our new Keeper."

"Since Harry is the captain he held the deciding vote," added Fred looking irritated.

"So I'm on the team then?" said Ron excitedly.

"Ask your 'friend' over here," said Fred looking over at Harry.

"Am I on the team then?"

"Technically...yes," said Harry trying to avoid looking at Ron.

"What do you mean...technically?"

"You'reourreserveKeeper," said Harry barely audible.

"What?"

Harry sighed.

"You're our reserve Keeper."

Ron felt disappointment flush over him, but managed to let out a question sounding more like a huff.

"Who's the new Keeper?" he asked not wanting to hear what he feared.

"Well," George said, "your 'mate' here decided to vote for our very own little Ginny."

If he had felt disappointed before, Ron was now feeling furious. He glared at Harry who was fixating on a very interesting crack in the floor.

"I don't bloody believe it!" Ron yelled. "My best friends votes for my little sister."

"Ron, I..."

"Just...I can't even have that. You can't even let me have that much, can you?"

"What do you mean?" Harry was dumbfounded.

"Yeah, well if you can't see what I mean then maybe you're not as good of a 'friend' as I thought," said Ron turning around, and slamming the door to the fifth year dormatory.

***

Hermione had heard Ron and Ginny arguing and when she heard the door open she knew it was Ginny. Her face was flushed from the Quidditch try-outs, but Hermione could see her seething with anger as she paced the floor.

"Who does he think he is?" she yelled.

"I guess we're talking about Ron," said Hermione trying to get Ginny to sit down.

"He can be such an idiot at times," she said sitting down by Hermione.

"At times?" asked Hermione smiling.

"Well, almost all of the time," added Ginny with a grin.

"So how did it go?"

"I think I did well," said Ginny slowly, "but I don't think I'll be able to beat Ron."

Just as Hermione was about to say something they could hear Ron yelling downstairs. It was followed by loud thumps coming up the stairs, and an ear-shattering thud as a door was slammed shut. The girls looked at each other and made their way out through the door. They could see Fred and George making their way up to their room, and Harry slumping down into a chair rubbing his forehead. They walked down to see what was going on.

"Harry," started Hermione, "what just happened?"

"Oh nothing much," said Harry tired. "I just voted Ron off the team."

"You did what?" asked Hermione. "Why?"

"Because there was someone better at the try-outs," Harry said still rubbing his forehead.

"Who?" asked Ginny knowing it must have been Seamus.

"You," replied Harry giving Ginny a slight smile.

"Me?" Ginny said baffled.

"We weren't going to make it official until tomorrow, but I guess it doesn't matter anymore," sighed Harry.

"I think I'll sleep down here tonight," said Harry making himself comfortable in the chair and closing his eyes.

"Goodnight Harry," said both girls as they turned around.

"Goodnight Hermione, Gin," said Harry laying his hands on the arms of the chair.

"Oh, and Gin," he said making Ginny stop and turn around. "Practice on Wednesday at 5:30."

"Yes sir, captain sir," she said jokingly making Harry chuckle.

Harry heard her walk up the stairs and close the door. He opened up his eyes and took out the pendant she had given him. It had barely been two weeks since they came back to Hogwarts, but he had spent more time with her than in the previous three years put together. It was mostly due to that Hermione and Ron weren't gonig anywhere near each other, which left him alone with Ginny. It was strange to Harry, but he had somehow always felt like she was there for him. Whenever he needed someone to talk to she would be right around the corner ready to listen or talk. "She actually talks," he thought to himself remembering that Ron had told him that she just keeps on talking. He let the pendant turn occassionally reflecting the fire in the eyes of the snake. He hadn't had any dreams since he had worn it, and every time he took it he felt his body and mind relax. Sometimes the eyes would glow stronger, but he didn't think anything of it. He rubbed the pendant before putting it inside his robe and falling asleep. The eyes were glowing bright red as the only thing that could be heard was the crackling of the fire.

Outside a small animal could be seen scurrying across Hogwarts. Mars was glowing bright, and as a cloud passed away the moonlight shone on the silver claw of the rat who moments later was swallowed up by the embracing arms of the Forbidden Forest.

End of Chapter 7

A/N: I completely forgot to put this in the previous chapter. Sorry about that. I am so grateful for all the reviews I have received, and please feel free to give some constructive criticism.
Amanda/Maddy: Thanks for your reviews, and I'll send you a copy of the chapter with your material when it's done. Just so you can approve/disapprove of the use.
Allison M Potter: I'm glad you found a few parts funny. I'm still working on getting some more humor in there.
JerseyPike: Here's more just for you.
Also thanks to: Anie, Symone, Gina Potter, Lily, Ruth, hpfan, Otaku freak, Nemo, MissLaine, Bucky, Brynn, Tegan, Raven Xavier, and Phoenix Destiny.